Author: #TIPEntertainment

Actress Anushka Sharma is not happy with the stories surrounding her lip-lock sequence with Ranbir Kapoor in Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet. 

Calling it a cheap shot, the actress added,”Such stories make the film sounds like something else, taking from the film’s aesthetic.

A lot of untrue, negative things are being said about the film and it’s just preposterous. All of us associated with Bombay Velvet want to let the film do the talking instead of constantly clarifying the fabricated stories,” said Anushka.

It’s sad and a loss to the Bollywood industry, 44year old actor Ashraful Haque died of a prolonged illness in Mumbai on February 17. The actor was well known for his performance in films like Delhi Belly and Fukrey.

The actor was admitted to a hospital in Andheri as he was in a critical condition, suffering from bone marrow cancer. He survived with his wife and a 9-year-old son in Mumbai. Bollywood celebrities took down on twitter to express their condolences to their family.

Ashraful Haque has contributed very powerful roles and performances to the Indian cinema. The actor was graduated from the National School Of Drama, played many important character roles in films like Company, Jungle, Satrangee Parachute, Ravan, Deewar, Black Friday, Fukrey and many others.

Anurag Kashap said, “He was one of my closest friends and we knew each other since our struggling days. From my TV show to short-films to features, I worked with him quite often, as he was a terrific actor. I was aware of his illness and we knew that his health was fast deteriorating. We were all there for him and it’s truly tragic that he had to depart so soon. Our priority now is to take care of his 9-year old son.”

Director Anurag Kashyap said that Ashraful Haque was his closest friend and has also worked with him in many of his films. He also said that his priority is now to take care of Ashraful’s 9-year-old son.

STORY: A director’s movie is inspired by a thief’s character; but when reality and fiction collide – his story takes an unexpected turn.

REVIEW: Get ready to go on a ‘trip’. This one’s rolled up in celluloid – with all the kaleidoscopic colours and hues associated with it.  Roy takes you on an orgasm of the imagination, and gives you a treat of visual delight – with all things good-looking. Smooth vintage wheels, stunning studs (horses), Fedora hats and magnificent Malaysia. Of course, the gorgeous lead trio too – striking poses right out of fashion glossies.

Kabir Grewal (Arjun) is a filmmaker known as much for his flamboyant lifestyle (read: wine and women) as his action films (‘Guns’ series). He’s also the darlin’ of the tabloids because he simply can’t keep his ‘gun-on-steroids’ under control. His heist stories are born out of a thief’s character from his childhood memories. Kabir starts filming in Malaysia with a writer’s block and without a script, but he quickly finds a muse in Ayesha (Jacqueline part 1) – an arty filmmaker (who shows no sign of making a film).

He takes his story forward; ‘Roy'(Ranbir) the robber, reaches Malaysia to plan his next big robbery. The fictitious tale meets reality – they collide and crumble – leaving us confused. Ayesha’s lookalike, Tia, walks in to the chaos (Jacqueline part 2). There’s a forced sense of mystery, and the transition between the real and the imagination is what leaves you baffled.

Debutant director Vikramjit’s premise is uncommon; the execution is stylish – with beautifully captured actors and ambience, but it turns into an emotional drama (often too complex) rather than a taut romantic thriller. It’s glazed with visual appeal and style (champagne, cigar, et al), and evokes curiosity too, but the soul of the plot fades into thick clouds of smoke. There are characters that add no real dimension to the story. Much is said in silence minus melodrama, backed by a good musical score – a saving grace. The editing is weak in parts and the pace is too languid. There’s a dialogue in the film which goes, “If the story isn’t going anywhere, it’s better to end it.” Wish this dialogue was taken seriously.

Arjun looks dapper in every frame and shows brooding intensity even if it’s tucked under his stylish hat. Ranbir, with few dialogues and a poorly sketched role, looks dreamy-eyed throughout. Jacqueline, in both parts looks the same – but great.

Roy’ has its moments, but the story is like a blotch of painting on abstract art.

STORY: Mute Daanish becomes a superstar when Amitabh Sinha provides him his voice – what happens when ego pulls body and speech apart?

REVIEW: So, Shamitabh has a lovely concept – a boy falls in love with the movies and dreams of becoming a star. He has pizzazz, passion, presence – but no voice. Daanish (Dhanush) is born mute, his soul, like the film-mad lad of Cinema Paradiso, finding utterance with movies, Igatpuri’s bus conductor (rather like a certain Rajini Sir) determined to achieve stardom. Daanish hits Film City and impresses assistant director Akshara
(Haasan) but directors reject a mute hero.

Akshara’s doctor dad introduces Daanish to technology which, using embedded micro-recorders and ear-pieces, enables a mute person to communicate via a ‘borrowed’ voice. Daanish and Akshara find the perfect voice – that of Amitabh Sinha (Bachchan), a failed actor, snubbed due to his baritone, who lives in a graveyard, soaked in whisky and cynicism. Amitabh’s tickled by the idea of making his rejected voice successful and the ‘Shamitabh’ team becomes a super-hit.

But what happens when Amitabh feels he’s getting no recognition, despite being as good a kalakaar as Daanish – if not better?

Shamitabh’s dramatic performances match its unusual tale. Often evoking The Artist, Dhanush is terrific as film-crazy Daanish, whose eyes sparkle at the cinema, whose brow furrows in desperation to meet directors, who schmoozes and rages without saying a word. Amitabh Bachchan provides perfect balance, catty and chatty in that wondrous velveteen baritone, dripping sarcasm, yodelling ditties, expressing irony, then abhimaan, bringing to life Shamitabh’s crackling dialogues.

Their acting is electric – but also, frequently over-indulged. Scenes that should’ve been tight are allowed to stretch or become repetitive. The vibrant ‘Piddly’ song gets wasted while the plot is too convenient – a rural boy flings his village life behind him like dust, no doctor explains how the mute hero’s ‘voice’ reads his thoughts and speaks them, no-one swears Amitabh’s sidekick to secrecy.

In over-explaining this uncommon story – “Very deep”, as Amitabh drawls – the plot rushes through emotional moments. And amidst the high-wattage attention around the Dhanush-Amitabh pairing, less is paid to Akshara, whose performance, although sincere, sometimes looks a tad banal.

As does the film occasionally, a pity because Shamitabh’s striking story could leave you speechless.

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who was in the national capital to promote her upcoming flick Roy, said she relates a lot to her character Ayesha in the movie. “I do relate to Ayesha a lot, she is quite fun loving and a free spirited girl, she is a nice simple girl. So, it was easy for me to connect with her,” she said.

Jacqueline will be seen playing a double role as Ayesha Aamir, a bohemian filmmaker, and Tia, a glamorous globetrotter, in this movie. Directed by debutant Vikramjit Singh, the flick stars Jacqueline, Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor.

Starlet Poonam Pandey, known mostly for her offer to strip if the Indian Cricket Team won the 2011 World Cup, had made news once again. India’s most downloaded model refused an offer from Gursimran Khamba and Tammay Bhat to do a podcast on All India Bakchod (AIB) as she felt it was too demeaning to the women folk. AIB has been in the news recently for its Roast controversy including celebs Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Karan Johar. It has been a talking point amongst celebs, fans and even the Government. But Poonam refused this offer. “I have heard that AIB has been doing some good work, but then some of what I have seen wasn’t really up my alley. The digital medium has been home for me over the last four years, but then I felt that I could not participate in something like this,” said the Nasha actress. Sources inform that Poonam felt that the contents of the show were rather demeaning to women and hence did not pursue the offer sent by AIB . While Poonam seems to have made her stand clear, here’s a look at what other celebs had to say about the AIB Roast.

Her character steps out of a mental institution and trouble follows.

Raj Kumar Gupta bid adieu to the big screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s Revolution 2020 over his choice of actress (Mirror, August 12, 2014). The filmmaker, who helmed Aamir and No One Killed Jessica, has now moved onto a new project and has signed the leading lady of his choice, Kareena Kapoor.

The yet-untitled film explores Section 84 of the IPC which states: “Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is wrong or contrary to law.” Kareena plays a schizophrenic woman who finds herself at the centre of a crime. Confirming the news, Gupta told Mirror, “Yes.Section 84 is an integral part of the film and Kareena is my protagonist.”

Buzz is, Kareena, who played a prostitute, to critical acclaim in both Chameli (2004) and the 2012 release Talaash, will again play a lady of the night in Gupta’s film.A source close to the film says, “The characters are dark and twist ed. It’s a character with two sides and trouble begins when she steps out of a mental asylum.” 

Bebo who is currently filming Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan with Salman Khan, will start filming with Gupta this year.

For her upcoming film Leela, Sunny Leone has shot a song, which is a reworked version of the chartbuster Dholi taro dhol baaje from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Salman Khan-Aishwarya Rai starrer Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

“Bhushan Kumar, our producer, already had the rights to the song. It was his idea to rework the song and he got the Meet brothers to do it,” says Ahmed Khan, who has choreographed the song for the film which is being directed by his brother Bobby Khan.

A massive set was erected in the dunes of Jaisalmer. A crowd of over 500 dancers assembled for the shoot that lasted for a week.

The temperature was a scorching 48 degree Celsius and the heat melted the leading lady’s make-up. “But we refused to compromise. Dholi taro is an iconic song,a Sanjay Leela Bhansali song, so not even a strand of hair could be out of place. Sunny’s personal stylist worked on her wardrobe for over a month before the shoot,” reveals Ahmed.Why this song in particular?
“It’s something that has stayed in the public memory for 16 years. We’ve modified the tune.And it isn’t a Garba set-up, we’ve turned it into a Rajasthani dance,” adds Ahmed who earlier choreographed Sunny’s Laila for Shootout at Wadala. “It was an easy number for her as it didn’t have any complex moves but regular folk dance steps.”Isn’t he worried about comparisons with the original song and Aishwarya in particular? “Not really. There is no denying that Ash is the prettiest face in the industry and a terrific dancer. But Sunny is no less,” he asserts. Sunny was trained by veteran choreographer Saroj Khan before she stepped into Ash’s shoes. “But we wanted to quickly finish the song so the training was limited but the result is spectacular!” he exults.Has he shown it to Bhansali? “God, not yet, I hope he likes it!” Ahmed worries.

STORY: Sanjana is madly in love with Kabir. All she wants is his uninterrupted time. Trouble is, her conjoined twin Anjana also desires exactly the same.

REVIEW: So what happens when conjoined twins Anjana and Sanjana (Bipasha Basu) make the same man, Kabir (Karan Singh Grover) the object of their desire? No prizes for guessing. The sisters end up despising one another and can hardly wait to go their separate ways (pun intended).

Unaware of the undercurrent of this emotion, Kabir, an advertising executive, (who ironically isn’t shown doing a single day’s work in the film), is working his butt off in Mumbai to give his dear wife Sanjana a luxurious lifestyle. However, wifey-dear is perpetually miffed with him for not spending any time with her. Tut, tut.

The couple feels that their shift from Kerala to Mumbai is pointless if they cannot even spend quality time together. And even though her mother (Neena Gupta) resides there, Sanjana’s not keen on returning to Kerala because of some skeletons left behind.

When circumstances take this young couple to a sprawling mansion in God’ own country, the spook fest begins.

Inspired by a 2007 Thai film by the same name, this Bollywood adaptation depends too heavily on creaking doors and a shrieking Sanjana to send a chill down your spine. She, who sees ghosts in every nook and corner of her childhood home, psyches herself and her wide-eyed husband. From taking his wife to a spiritual healer to making out with her in the idyllic locales, Kabir does everything in his power to drive away her fears.

When Sanjana saunters into the outhouse where Anjana and she played in their childhood, she is possessed by Anjana’s spirit. Post interval, it’s the ghost’s turn to romance the hero with the chiselled physique. In fact, the ghost lucks out – unlike Sanjana in the first half, the ghost even shares raunchy scenes with Kabir. Till this point, Alone indulges you.

The lovemaking scenes between Bipasha and Karan are racy. The supernatural turn in the conflict between the sisters does give you goosebumps. But the limited expertise of director Bhushan Patel (1920, Evil Returns, Ragini MMS) and actress Bipasha Basu (Raaz, Creature 3D) – in spite of their many ventures in this genre -allows Alone to deliver only superficial chills. The prolonged climax though it is full of twists, leaves you cold because it is too contrived. When you scratch the surface, you don’t end up scared shitless. And isn’t that what Alone is meant to do?

GENRE: Horror DURATION: 2 hours 13 minutes

Actress Bipasha Basu has spent close to 15 years in the Hindi film industry, without working with any of the top Khans – be it Shah Rukh, Aamir or Salman. But she has no regrets whatsoever.

Bipasha, whose latest movie “Alone” released last week, said: “There are so many actresses who have done films with Khans and then disappeared. So what’s the point of such big films? The year I debuted (with ‘Ajnabee’ in 2001), ‘Lagaan’ released with Gracy Singh in lead. It was one of the iconic films…but I am still here,” she said.

The Bengali beauty has featured in Bollywood movies like “Raaz”, “Jism”, “No Entry”, “Dhoom 2”, “Apharan”, “Corporate”, “Race”, “Bachna Ae Haseeno”, “Raaz 3” and “Creature”. Having starred in multiple horror films, now she is looking at a comedy.

“I want to do a good comedy, not a slapstick comedy. People have not seen my funny side yet. I would like to do that,” she said.

Richa Chadda, shot in Banaras for Gangs of Wasseypur and the city turned out to be the turning point of her life.

Now she is back again, in the holy city, shooting for her next film Masaan with Neeraj Ghaywan. In past 3 months Richa has been on spiritual trail of sorts, shooting in Ayodhaya for her film with Sudhir Mishra, Now she recently wrapped up shoot in. And if things work out, Richa will be soon shooting in Haridwar for her next film.

“?I’m spiritual, very in fact. But not necessarily religious. It’s coincidental how I have been to all the religious places in past two months of shoot. Ayodhya, Benaras and may be Haridwar soon. It definitely is like being in a different era. The places have such an old world feel and it feels amazing to be one with those places. In fact I wrapped up Masaan in Benaras last month.” Says Richan who feels that travelling these places not only gives her mental peace but also helps her enjoy the rich culture of India.

Jennifer Lawrence has confessed that she is not happy about spending so much time away from her best pal Liam Hemsworth as he’s in Australia.

The 24-year-old actress said that she would totally do more ‘Hunger Games’ movies and now Hemsworth doing a movie in Australia for two months and it is the longest that the three of them have ever spent apart.

Talking about her relationship with her co-stars Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, the American actress said that if all she had was this friendship with both of them and if that’s all she ever got this ‘The Hunger Games’ then she would consider it a blessing.

Actress Emily Blunt is reportedly in talks to star in “The Huntsman” alongside Chris Hemsworth.

According to a source, the 31-year-old is likely to play the evil Snow Queen, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The sequel to the 2012 film “Snow White and the Huntsman” will see Hemsworth returning as Eric the huntsman.

However, Kristen Stewart will not be back to the upcoming movie which recently lost director Frank Darabont due to creative differences.

A replacement is yet to be announced. The movie will release April 22, 2016.

NEW DELHI (TIP): Amidst reports that controversial film “Messenger of God” featuring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead role has been cleared by Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), Censor Board chief Leela Samson on January 15 night said she has decided to resign.

Asked if she was aware of media reports that the nod has been given by FCAT to the film’s screening, Samson said “I hear so. Nothing in writing yet. It is a mockery of Central Board of Film Certification. My resignation is final. Have informed the (I&B) Secretary”.

There was, however, no official word on the decision, if any, of FCAT.

The Censor Board had referred the issue of clearance to “Messenger of God” to FCAT. The film was slated to hit the screens on Friday.

Asked why she has decided to quit, she did not specifically refer to the reported clearance to the film but said the reasons cited are alleged “interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organization who are appointed by the ministry.”

According to Samson, “…having to manage an organization whose Board has not met for over nine months as the ministry had no funds to permit the meeting of members.”

She said the term of all the members and the Chairperson of the Censor Board “are over. But since the new government failed to appoint a new Board and Chairperson, a few were given extension and asked to carry on till the procedure was completed.”

“However, recent cases of interference in the working of the CBFC by the ministry, through an ‘additional charge’ CEO, and corrupt panel members has caused a degradation of those values that the members of this Board of CBFC and Chairperson stood for,” Samson alleged.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of Sirsa (Haryana)-based Dera Sacha Sauda said “as per our information, FCAT has cleared the movie for release. But a written order is awaited.”

Govt denies interference
There was no coercion or interference from the government to give a “clearance” to controversial film “Messenger of God” featuring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, junior minister in information and broadcasting ministry, said on January 16.

“This is her personal choice, the government has no comment on it,” Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore commented on resignation of Censor Board chief Leela Samson.

Rathore also said that if “Leela Samson is saying that there was coercion or interference from the government side, then she should give proof of it”.

“Censor Board and all its members were brought in by the last government, we haven’t brought in new members,” Rathore added.
Hinting that Leela Samson was not taking here role seriously, Rathore said that “my officers tell me that in last few months, she only attended office once”.

Alone, featuring Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover, is a horror love story that revolves around conjoined sisters. When one sister dies, she returns to seek revenge on the other.

One can say that Bipasha has an unusual role at hand, as she plays both— the ghost and the victim — in the film produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Pradeep Agarwal and Prashant Sharma. An official remake of the Thai blockbuster by the same name, the film has been made with a few changes to the original script. It has been adapted by Shantanu Ray and Sheershak Anand, with dialogues by Shagufta Rafique.

After 1920 – Evil Returns and Ragini MMS 2, this film marks director Bhushan Patel’s third horror venture. He says, “Alone is the scariest film I have made till date. I think Bipasha and Karan have done full justice to their roles.” Of course, the chemistry between the lead pair hasn’t gone unnoticed by the audience, thus adding to the curiosity around the movie. What makes it all the more intriguing is the fact that the film has been shot in the scenic locales of Kerala — an unusual setting for a horror story.

Jessica Alba has sued a company that claimed the actress’ billions worth lifestyle company was too similar to theirs.

Cosmedicine had fired off a cease and desist letter to Alba’s flourishing The Honest Company, however, Honest Co. went a step ahead and took the matter to court, TMZ.com reported.

Alba’s co. clims that there’s no dilemma as the bottles used for lotions are completely different in addition to a huge price difference. Plus, Cosmed’s lotion was yet to be out on retail shelves yet. As if this was not enough, Honest Co. even bragged that they had revenue of over 200 million dollars over the past 3 years, calling Cosmed as a failing line, which was desperately trying to bring back life to an old product.

Huma Qureshi went on a shopping spree in Dubai. After spending a busy 2014, the actress took some time off.

She flew to Dubai to bring in the new year and then extended her stay. Huma did not have a fixed itinerary but went around exploring the place. In fact, she had dedicated a whole day for shopping and went on a spree.
However, till the end of the day she did not manage to complete even half of the mall and so dutifully returned the next day to complete her shopping. She thoroughly enjoyed her time shopping and loved the Christmas collection available there. The malls had lovely decor for the festivities which only added to the charm.
While she splurged on herself, she also bought gifts for her family.